- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB0586.2
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 586
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 586
2 INTRODUCED BY M. LEE, J. REAVIS, B. EDWARDS, J. ISALY, P. STRAND, T. CROWE, J. SECKINGER, B.
3 CLOSE, P. ELVERUM, S. FYANT, J. WEBER, J. SOOKTIS, A. GRIFFITH, M. CUNNINGHAM, E. TILLEMAN,
4 E. MATTHEWS, T. RUNNING WOLF, F. SMITH, M. FOX, K. ZOLNIKOV, D. BAUM, M. CAFERRO, B.
5 CARTER, J. COHENOUR, N. DURAM, D. HAWK, S. HOWELL, J. KARLEN, C. KEOGH, M. ROMANO, E.
6 STAFMAN, K. SULLIVAN, Z. ZEPHYR, M. MARLER, S. DEMAROIS, D. JOY, C. FITZPATRICK
7
8 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM LAWS;
9 REQUIRING THE USE OF A CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN UNDER CERTAIN AGE
10 THRESHOLDS 6 YEARS OF AGE; PROVIDING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES AND
11 CIRCUMSTANCES FROM CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM LAWS; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND
12 AMENDING SECTIONS 61-9-419, 61-9-420, AND 61-9-421, MCA.”
13
14 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
15
16 Section 61-9-419, MCA, is amended to read:
17 "61-9-419. (1) As used in 61-9-420 through 61-9-423
18 and this section, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:
19 (a) "Booster seat" means a child safety restraint system that meets applicable federal motor
20 vehicle safety standards and is designed to provide belt-positioning that elevates a child to be properly seated
21 with a safety belt.
22 (b) "Child safety restraint system" means a device that:
23 (i) meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards; and
24 (ii) is appropriate to the age of the child being restrained, as provided in 61-9-420.
25 (c) (i) "properly restrained" "Properly restrained" means fastened in a manner prescribed by the
26 manufacturer of the child safety restraint system that permits the child safety restraint system to act as a body
27 restraint, but.
28 (ii) The term does not mean a system in which the only body restraint is a safety belt of the type - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB0586.2
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 586
1 required by 61-9-409.
2 (d) "Secured with a safety belt" means restrained or secured by a seat belt that:
3 (i) meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards; and
4 (ii) is properly adjusted and fastened WITH THE LAP STRAP
5, including both the shoulder and lap straps, when equipped in the vehicle."
6
7 Section 61-9-420, MCA, is amended to read:
8 "61-9-420. (1) EACH MOTOR VEHICLE
9660 POUNDS MUST BE TRANSPORTED AND
10 SYSTEM. T SYSTEM MUST BE
11, , AND COMPLY
12.Each motor vehicle passenger who is under 6 years of age
13 and weighs less than 60 pounds must be transported and properly restrained in a child safety restraint. The
14 child safety restraint must be appropriate for the height and weight of the child as indicated by manufacturer
15 standards. A motor vehicle passenger who is under 2 years of age must be properly restrained in a rear-facing
16 child safety restraint system that complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
17
18 (2) A motor vehicle passenger who is between 2 years of age and up to 4 years of age must be
19 properly restrained in a rear-facing or forward-facing child safety restraint system with an internal harness that
20 complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards ..
21
22 (3) A motor vehicle passenger who is between 4 years of age and up to 8 years of age must be
23 properly restrained in a forward-facing child safety restraint system with an internal harness or a child booster
24 seat that is secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt, whichever is applicable, that complies with federal
25 motor vehicle safety standards.
26
27 (4) A motor vehicle passenger who is at least 9 years of age or has outgrown the height or weight
28 limits of a child booster seat as set by the manufacturer, whichever comes first, must be secured with a motor - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB0586.2
- 3 - Authorized Print Version – HB 586
1 vehicle adult safety belt ..
2 (5) (2) A child safety restraint system pursuant to 61-9-419 through 61-9-423 must be installed,
3 adjusted, and used according to the manufacturer instructions.
4 (2) The department shall by rule establish standards in compliance with 61-9-419 through 61-9-
5 423 and applicable federal standards for approved types of child safety restraint systems.
6 (3)(6) (3) The department may by rule exempt from the requirements of subsection (1) this
7 section a child who because of a physical or medical condition or body size cannot be placed in a child safety
8 restraint system."
9
10 Section 61-9-421, MCA, is amended to read:
11 "61-9-421. Section 61-9-420 is not applicable to a vehicle that as follows:
12 (1) if a vehicle is a motorbus MOTOR HOME, schoolbus SCHOOL BUS, taxicab, farm tractor, bicycle,
13 moped, quadricycle, or motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle or is not required to be equipped with safety belts
14 under 49 CFR 571 as it reads on January 1, 1984 January 3, 2025;
15 (2) if a vehicle is an ambulance or other emergency vehicle designated or authorized by the
16 department; or
17 (2) has a seating capacity as designated by the manufacturer of two persons and there are two
18 persons 4 years of age or older in the vehicle.
19 (3) if an emergency exists that threatens the life of a person operating a motor vehicle to whom
20 this section would otherwise apply or the life of a child who would otherwise be required to be properly
21 restrained as provided in 61-9-420."
22 - END -